Ladder-climbing device



May 31, 1927. G. E. FRITTS LADDER CLIMBING DEVICE Filed Oct. 20, 1924 Y m 2 0 w n [Y; 65 W m w a W 0. W

patented May 31, 1927.

GEORGE E. FRITTS, 0F HARBOR CITY, CALIFORNIA.

LADDER-CLIMBING DEVICE.

Application filed October 20, 1924. Serial No. 744,616.

This invention relates to climbing devices and relates particularly to a device which is applicable for use in conjunction with a ladder such, for example as is used in an oil well derrick.

It is an object of this invention to provide a climbing device which will facilitate the climbing of such a ladder and which will greatly reduce the jeopardy in the climbing thereof. The invention comp: ises essentially slide members which may be arranged par allel and adjacent to the legs of the ladder. On the slide members are travelling members which are slid-able thereon. These travelling members are provided with suitable hand grips and are constructed in such a manner as to automatically lock against downward movement relative to the slide members but slidii'ig freely upwardly thereon. person climbing a ladder equipped with this device grasps one of the sliding members in each hand. As he climbs up the ladder, resting his feet on the rounds of the ladder. his hands always grip the hand members which slide upwardt' as he advances-along the ladder.

The invention may also provide a safety member which may be in the form of a strap which may extend from each of the travelling members around the back. or be attached to the belt. of the pe son climbing the ladder. The strap member is arranged to prevent falling in the event that one or both of his hands should slip or his feet should slip. it is sometimes necessary that a person carry an object along with him up the ladder. This sometimes retpiires the use of one hand. and he must climb the ladder using only his feet and the other hand. This means that there is considerable danger in the climbing of a ladder and that it is very inconvenient and ditiicult; to main tain his balance while shifting his one hand from one rung to the next rung of the ladder. liy the of v device, it is possible to climb a ladder with much ease and appreciable satctv. It will be seen th'ht at all times the climber may have hold of the traveling member and that his balance may always be maintained. danger of falling being eliminated. and he may travel much more quickly along the ladder.

Further objects of the invention and the advantages thereof will be made evident hereinafter.

Referring to the drawings which have chosen solely for illustrative purposes,

Fig. l is a view illustrating the use of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a section taken as indicated by the line i of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing one. of the travelling members par tially in section.

Fig. l. a plan view of Fig. 3.

is shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 2, slide members to. which may be in the form of rods or cables or any other suitable members, are shown as being extended parallel and aiiljacent to the legs 11 of the ladder 12. The slide members it) may be secured to the ladder 12 by suitable brackets 14 and 1.3 which may be provided with bolts It; which secure the brackets l-l and 15 to the legs ll of the ladder. The ends of the slide members It) extend through the brackets l4 'and 15 and may be provided with suitable securing means. such as nuts 18 and 19. A means for placing tension on the slide members 10 may be in the form of turnbucliles .30, as shown in Fig. 1.

In Figs. 3 and 4: is clearly shown a traveh ling member which is arranged on a slide member 10. As shown in Fig. 3, the travelling member may comprise a gripping member 26 which provides a handle 27, from which there may extend a lug or foot 26 which has an opening 29 therein, which is as shown somewhat larger than the slide member it). the slide member 10 extending through the opening 29 of the grip member 2(3. An aligning portion is disposed above the lug 28 and may be in the form of Wings 30 which are arranged to form a substantial V, as shown in Fig. 4. this aligning portion being for the purpose of keeping the grip member 26 in alignment with the slide member 10. At the upper end of the portion 27 is a formation providing legs 31, the legs 31 projecting to each side of a slide 10. This arrangen'ient also assists in maintaining alignment between the grip member and the slide member. A subsidiary member 32 is shown as being pivoted to a lug 33 provided by the member 26 by means of a clevis 3st, through which a pin 35 extends. The clevis 3-1: is provided on the upper end of a leg 37, which leg 37 has a foot 38 provided on the lower end there of. The foot 38 is provided with an opening 3S). through which the slide member it) is arranged to extend. the opening it) being substantially the same size as the slide member 10. A means for effecting a gripping action in the member 2t? provided in the form of a spring all. which is shown as extending between the lug it; of the gripping member 26 and the lug H of the subsidiary member 32. As shown by the full lines in Fig. :5. the spring pulls downward ly on the gripping member 2t) to the right. of the pivot 35. This swings the foot or lug 28 into the position shown and causes the corners 4t) and 47 to forcibly engage the slide member it). lt, will be seen that this engagement between the corners to and 47 is sut'ticicnt to prevent a :-litlit'ig of the travelling element The dotted lines 19 indicate the travelling or released position of the travelling member 25. Then in this po sition it will be, seen that the opening 29 in the foot 28 is moved into a l)t)r-iii()ll in which the axis thereof is substantially in alignment with the axis of the slide member 10. The corners to and ii. as evident. are at this time removed from engagement with the slide member and therefore allow the slide member to move freely in either direction along the slide member it).

The operation and use of my device may be described as follows:

A person desiring to climb the ladder may take hold of each of the handles ii of the members with each hand. as shown in Fig. l. The person shown in Fig. l is shown in the position in which he is just ready to slide the members 25 up into the position indicated by the dotted line at of Fig. l. The members 25 being in grippii'ig relationship with the slide members it) nmst first be released. This sliding accomplished by first swinging the member 26 into the dotted position 49 of Fig. 21. which may be accomplished by a very slight wrist movement. The travelling members are then free to be moved u 'nvardly. as indicated at St in Fig. 1. He then allows the members to swing back into gripping position and then climbs with his feet in the usual manner. It will be seen that the action of the elimbers hands and feet may be performed simultaneously.

To further reduce the possibility of falling. I provide a safety member in the form of a strap or rope member (it). The member (50 has a fixture (31 secured to one end which is attached to a link 62 of one of the members it The men'iber (it) extends over the climber-s shoulder and attaches at 64 to a belt 65 worn by him. The safety member. as is evident from the drawin does not interfere with the progress of the climber and it prevents his falling in the event that he should slip. If desired, two safety members may be used, one extending from each slide member.

My invention may optionally be arranged on either a stationary ladder or a portable ladder. It is of such simple design and construction that it may be produced very cheaply. The use of my invention not only makes it possible to more rapidly ascend and descend a ladder. but. scribed. it is etticacious in promoting safety of climbing any sort of ladder.

Although I have herein described one embodiment of my invention, it will be perceived that various changes may be made without violating the. principle or deviating from the spirit and scope of this invention.

i chim as my invention:

1. In a climbing device. the combination of: a gripping member; a slide member extending through said gripping member; a subsidiary member slidably embracing said slide member and pivotally secured to said gripping member: and means connected to said gri 'iping member and to said subsidiary member for causing said gripping member to grip said slide member.

2. in a climbing device. the combination of: a gripping member comprising a handle portion. and a foot having an opening therethrough: a slide member extending through said opening; a subsidiary member compris in; a leg by which it is pivoted to said gripping member. and a foot on the lower end said leg having an opening therein. through which said slide member extends: and a spring connected to said gripping member and said subsidiary member for causing said gripping member to grip said slide member.

It. in combination: a ladder comprising legs and horizontal rungs extending there between; a slide member extending parallel in one of said lc means for placing said siide member unwr tension; and a, hand-operaied. travelling member slidably arranged on sa d slide member.

4. in coml'iinatii'm: a ladder comprising legs and ho izontal rungs extending therebetween: a bracket secured at the lowe and upper ends of each of said legs; a slide mem ber extending parallel to each of said legs and being secured to one of said brackets at the upper end of each of said legs and one of said brackets at the lower end of each of siiiil legs: means for placing each of said slide members under tension; and a handoperated travelling member slidably arranged on each of said slide members.

In testimony whereof. I have hereumo set my hand at Los .tngeles. (alifornim this lilth day of October. i924.

UEORG E E. FRIT'IS.

the

as previously de-' lco 

